Baseball game apparatus



Nov. 21, 1950 J. KELLER 2,530,526

BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS 7 Filed July 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I i I: g'

INVEN TOR.

J. L.KeHer ae aow ATTORNE Y Nov. 21, 1950 J. 1.. KELLER BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1946 INVENTOR. J. L. Kel let BY m aw ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS James L. Keller, Ferndale, Mich.

Application July 23, 1946, Serial No. 685,677

'7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates broadly to amusement devices, and in its specific phases to a ball feeding and pitching apparatus.

There have been a large number of amusement devices produced, and while a very few of them have dealt with some form of baseball, none of them have had a ball pitching apparatus in combination with a ball batting apparatus which is operated by the player. It was a recognition of the widespread public interest in the game of base ball, and the lack of an amusement device on the market wherein a player actually batted at mechanically pitched balls, which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an amusement device having a ball feeding and pitching appara tus.

Another object is to provide a ball. delivery tube through which balls are thrown and delivered through the air to the batting station.

Another object is to provide a reciprocating ball throwing arm which cooperates with the ball delivery tube to. propel a ball through same.

Another object is to provide means for intermittently actuating the ball throwing arm.

A further object is to provide means for returning the throwing arm to starting position following its throwing, actuation.

A further object is to provide means for propelling balls from the delivery tube at varying. speeds.

A further object is to provide a metering means for delivering one ball at a time into the ball delivery tube in position for throwing.

A further object is to. provide a timing apparatus which actuates the ball metering means in. a manner such that the latter delivers a ball, to the delivery tube at the proper time to be thrown.

A further object is to provide. an electrical means for operating the ball throwing apparatus. so as to intermittently throw the balls to the batting station at varying speeds.

A further object is to provide a readily and easily operated base ball game requiring skill and providing amusement.

Still further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an ap-- paratus utilizing the present invention.

Figure 2 shows: a partially sectioned top view taken at line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 shows a section view taken at line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4' shows a partially sectioned elevational view of the ball throwing mechanism as taken at line 4- -4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 shows a partially sectioned top view of the ball throwing mechanism as taken at line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 shows a partially sectioned fragmentary encl' elevational view of the ball throwing mechanism as taken at line 6-6 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 shows a partially sectioned elevational view of the ball metering mechanism as taken at line l'! of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged and partially sectioned end elevation of the bat, and bat mounting, as taken, at line 8-8 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The apparatus shown in the drawings illustrates a complete amusement device with which to play a game similar to base ball. Ball feeding, pitching, batting, and scoring form part of the: composite game but the present invention deals specifically with the cooperating ball feeding, pitching, and batting apparatus which will now be described in detail.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawing it will be noted that there is a ball delivery tube I mounted for delivering a ball 49 (Figure 4-) in the direction of the. arrow (Figure 2) above the upper face of bottom member 2 which forms the playfield. This ball may be made of various materials, and of these India rubber is one of the, most satisfactory. Bat 3 is mounted on a pivot 4 so as to be usable in knocking the ball toward the left hand end of the assembly. Mounted in various positions on bottom member 2 are a series of up-standing pivoted members 5 painted to simulate ball players. These pivoted members are provided with electric. switches (not shown) so that if a batted ball hits one of these members a strike will be regittered by a light 6 on score board I. When three strikes have been registered by lights 6 they will go out and one of the lights 8 at the opposite side of the board will light u showing one man out. Runs are scored when the ball hits scoring member 9, if), or II, Figure 3. A game ends when three men are out, and the number of runs made up to that time is the score of the player. Another player then takes his turn and tries to get a higher score before there are three men out.

Referring to the Figure 5, the pitching apparatus utilizes an electric motor I2 which has a speed reducer ncorporated in same, although the motor and speed reducer may be separate units if desired, and it is intended that the shov ing shall be considered as diagrammatically illustrating these spaces between them. Adapted to mesh with the intermittent gear tee+h is a pinion I! which preferably has several teeth omitted at one point to facil tate cuick return of the throwing arm to initial po ition at the end of a ball throwing step. This pinion is mounted on shaft I8 which is supported in conventional manner at the center of curvature of tube I, and carries a throwing arm Is at one end thereof. A torsion spring 26 is fastened to shaft I8 and to an anchor member 2I convent onally fastened to bottom member 2. This torsion spring is tensioned so as to normally return throwing arm [9 to its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 4. In other words a group of teeth on intermittent gear I mesh with p nion ll and move throwing arm l9 upward until the gear teeth are disengaged, whereupon torsion s ring then returns throwing arm I9 back to initial position where pinion I1 is again ready to engage with the next group of teeth on intermittent gear I5. It will be noted that the number of teeth in the various groups of teeth on intermittent gear l5 are not the same and this varies the ball pitching discharge speed, thus producing a pitching change of pace which makes the game more difficult and hence more interesting. Referring to Figure 4 it will be noted that the ball delivery tube I runs along approximately parallel to the bottom member 2 at the ball discharge end. This helps to guide the ball in a relatively straight line above bottom member 2 toward the bat. Delivery tube I passes through bottom member 2 and is fastened to the latter in convent onal manner such as by means of a flange 22 and screws 23. The ball delivery tube from its lower end up to the horizontal portion above bottom member 2 is arcuate with its center on the center line of throwing arm shaft I8, and this tube is provided with a suitable slot 24 through which throwing arm i9 projects. A rubber stop member 25 may be used to stop throwing arm I9 at the end of its return swing after passing through a throwing cycle.

Opening into the side of ball delivery tube I is a ball return tube 26 in which the balls return for replaying after having been thrown from the end of delivery tube I. Conventional means (not shown) are provided for delivering the balls to ball return tube 26 from both ends of bottom member 2, and a slot 21 is cut in the upper edge of ball return tube 26 so that a ball metering apparatus may extend therethrough.

In playing the game it is necessary that the balls be delivered one at a time and at the right time to the ball throwing mechanism. One way of doing this has been illustrated in Figure 7 wherein a solenoid 28 is shown fastened to the bottom face of bottom member 2 by means of screws 29. This solenoid has a projecting center post 30 on which is pivotally mounted a U-shaped member 3i, the points of which extend through slot 2! into ball return tube 26 a sufficient distance to permit rocking back and forth to meter one ball at a time to the throwing mechanism. Various ways of operating the metering device may be utilized and one convenient procedure involves the use of a two pole electric switch 32 fastened to the under face of bottom member 2 by means of a conventional bracket member 33. Extending from the lower end of two pole switch 32 is a rotary shaft 34 on which is mounted an arm 35 which is adapted to be contacted and moved by throwing arm I9. When arm 35 is in the position shown in Figure 7 one of the two sets of contacts in switch 32 will be closed so as to energize solenoid 28 and tip the U-shaped member 3i to the right, as shown in dotted lines, to quickly discharge a ball through tube 26 into the lower end of throwing tube l where it is ready to be thrown by means of arm I9, as previously described. As soon as arm I9 is rotated in clockwise direction (Figure 7) arm 35 will move to the left a short distance which will open the first pair of contacts in switch 32 and close the second pair of contacts. This will actuate solenoid 28 so as to move U-shaped member 3| in clockwise direction to the left a sufficient amount to permit one of the balls to roll in between the two arms where it is held until throw- A ing arm I9 returns to throwing position where it moves arm 35 of switch 32 once more to the position shown in Figure 7 where the switch is again closed to actuate solenoid 28 to tip the U-shaped member 3| counterclockwise and eject the pocketed ball through ball return tube 26 into the lower end of ball delivery tube l where it is ready for throwing by arm I9 when the next group of teeth on intermittent gear I 5 contact the teeth on pinion I'I, thus completing a throwing cycle.

The bat 3 (Figure 8) is mounted on a pivoted shaft 4 and anchored in place with a pin 36. Pivoted shaft 4 is preferably in the form of a shaft which has a shoulder 31 and an anti-friction bearing 38 mounted on the shoulder and in contact with the under face of an angularly machined flange 39. A similar flange 43 is mounted on pivoted shaft 4 above bottom member 2 and the two flanges fastened together by means of bolts 61. An anti-friction bearing 48 is preferably mounted on pivoted shaft 4 between flange 40 and bat 3 to facilitate relatively easy movement of the bat. Rigidly fastened on the lower end of pivoted shaft i is an arm 42 (Figure 2), the free end of which in turn is connected by a ball and socket means 43 to a link Mi, the other end of which is fastened by a pivot member 45 to batting handle 26 which is fastened to the under face of bottom member 2 by means of a pivot member 4?. It will thus be seen that when the batting handle 48 is moved in clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 2, bat 3 will move in a counterclockwise direction to bat a ball delivered from tube By setting the bat at an angle with bottom member 2, as is shown in Figure 8, the batting conditions vary since when the bat is directly crosswise of the assembly it will. be at its highest position and thus if a ball is hit' in thisposition, it will be topped and a ground ball will result which is liable to hit one of the up-standing pivoted members 5 and register as a strike. On the other hand when the bat is in the position shown in Figure 2 it is lower and a ball hit in this position is likely to pass upward and along the right hand side of the playing area. On the other hand when the bat is forward a substantially equal amount beyond the high spot it is likely to hit a high bail along the left side of the playing area. These high balls normally pass above the upstanding pivoted members 5 and have a reasonable opportunity of registering with scoring members 9-, IE}, and ll so as to indicate a corresponding number of runs on the score board I. There is thus a definite relation between the pitching of the ball and the batting of the pitched ball which will determine whether strikes or runs are liable to be made.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A ball throwing apparatus of the character described, which com-prises a tube having a sub stantially arcuate portion terminating short of a complete circle and provided with an open end for the delivery of a ball therefrom, a supporting means for said tube, means for anchoring said tube in fixed position on said supporting means, means connected to said arcuate member for delivering a ball thereinto in position to be thrown, said arcuate portion having a longitudinal slot therein, a ball propelling arm member extending throu h said slot into said. arcuate portion of said tube, means for pivotally mounting said arm member substantially on the axis about which said arcuate member is centered, a pinion on the of rotation of said arm memher and fast ned to same for movement in unison therewith, an intermittent gear having, at least two groups of teeth with at least two of the groups having a different number of teeth, said groups of teeth being adapted to intermittentlymesh with said pinion and correspondingly vary the ball propelling action, and means for suitably rote ting said intermittent gear.

2. A ball throwing apparatus of the character described, which comprises a tube having a substantially arcuate portion terminating short of a complete circle and provided with an open end for the delivery of a ball therefrom, a supporting means for said tube, means for anchoring said tube in fixed position on said supporting means, means connected to said arcuate member for delivering a ball thereinto in position to be thrown, said arcuate portion having a longitudinal slot therein, a reciprocable ball propelling arm member extending through said slot into said arcuate portion of said tube, means for pivotally mounting said arm member substantially on the axis about which said arcuate member is centered, a pinion on the axis of rotation of said arm member and fastened to same for movement in unison therewith, an intermittent gear having at least two groups of teeth with at least two of the groups having a different number of v mi-tt'en-tly' mesh with. said pinion, means for suitablyrotating saidintermittent gear, andmeans for returning said arm in reverse direction of movement to starting position whensaid intermittent gear ceases to mesh: with said pinion.

3 In an amusement device which has a bottom member, the combination which comprises a tube for delivering a ball above said bottom member, said tube being mounted on said bottom member and having a substantially arcuate portion of less length than a complete circle, said arcuate portion being principally below said bottom member and adapted to receive the ball to be pitched, said arcuate. portion having a longitudinal slot therein, a ball propelling arm member extending through said slot into said arcuate portion of said tube, means for supporting said arm member for reciprocating rotation substantially on the axis about which said arcuate portion is centered, a pinion fixedly mounted on said armmember, said pinion and arm member having a common axis of rotation, an intermittent gear having a plurality of groups of teeth with at least two of said groups difiering from each other in number of teeth and with any one of said groups being adapted to mesh with said pinion at the start of a ball pitching cycle, and means for suitably rotating said intermittent gear.

4. In an amusement device which has a bottom member, the combination which comprises a tube for deiivering a ball above said bottom member, said tube being mounted on saidbottom member and having a substantially a-rcuate portion of less length than a complete circle, said arcuate portion being principally below said bottom member and adapted to receive the ballto be pitched, said arcuate portion having a lon gitudinal slot therein, a reciprocable' ball propelling arm member extending through said slot into said arcuate portion of said tube, means for supporting said arm member for reciprocating rotation substantially on the axis about which said arcuate portion is centered, a pinion fixedly mounted on said member, said pinion and arm member having a common axis of rotation, an intermittent gear having a plurality of groups of teeth with at least two of said groups dififcring from each other in number of teeth and with any one of said groups being adapted to mesh with said pinion at the start of a ball pitching cycle, means for suitably rotating said. intermit tent gear in one direction for actuating said ball propelling arm, and means for returning said arm in reverse direction of movement to starting position at the end of the throwing portion or" the pitching cycle when said pinion is out of mesh with said intermittent gear.

5. In an amusement device which has a bottom member, the combination which comprises a tube for delivering a ball above said bottom member, said tube being mounted on said bottom member and having an arcuate portion of less length than a complete circle, said arouate portion being principally below said bottom member and adapted to receive the ball to be pitched, said arcuate portion having a longitudinal slot therein, a ball propelling arm member extending through said slot into said arcuate portion of said tube, means for supporting said arm member for reciprocatingrotation substantially on the axis about which said arcuate portion is centered, a pinion fixedly mounted on said arm member, said pinion and arm member having a common axis of rotation, an intermittent gear having a plurality of groups of teeth with at least two of said groups differing from each other in number of teeth and with any one of I said groups being adapted to mesh with said pinion and correspondingly vary the ball propelling action, means for suitably rotating said intermittent gear in one direction for actuating said pinion and through it said ball propelling arm member, an electric switch, means for actuating said electric switch in accordance with the reversible movements of said ball propelling arm member, and an electrically actuated ball feeder controlled by said switch so that balls will be delivered at the proper time for pitching.

6. In an amusement device which has a bottom member, the combination which comprises a tube for delivering a ball above said bottom member, said tube being mounted on said bottom member and having an arcuate portion of less length than a complete circle, said arcuate portion being principally below said bottom member and adapted to receive the ball to be pitched, said arcuate portion having a longitudinal slot therein, a reciprocable ball propelling arm member extending through said slot into said arcuate portion of said tube, means for supporting said arm member for reciprocable rotation substantially on the axis about which said arcuate portion is centered, a pinion fixedly mounted on said arm member, said pinion and arm member having a common axis of rotation, an intermittent gear having a plurality of groups of teeth with at least two of said groups diliering from each other in number of teeth and with any one of said groups being adapted to mesh with said pinion, means for suitably rotating said intermittent gear in one direction for actuating said pinion and through it said ball propelling arm member, means for returning said arm in reverse direction of movement to starting position at the end of the throwing portion of the pitching cycle when said pinion is out of mesh with said intermittent gear, an electric switch,

means for actuating said electric switch in accordance with the reciprocable movements of said ball propelling arm member, and an electrically operated ball feeding means actuated by said switch for delivering balls at the proper time for pitching.

7. In an amusement device which has a bottom member, the combination which comprises a tube for delivering a ball above said bottom member, said tube being mounted on said bottom member and having an arcuate portion of less length than a complete circle, said arcuate portion being principally below said bottom member and adapted to receive the ball to be pitched, said arcuate portion having a longitudinal slot therein, a reciprocable ball propelling arm member extending through said slot into said arcuate portion of said tube, means for sup porting said arm member for reciprocable rotation substantially on the axis about which said arcuate portion is centered, a pinion fixedly mounted on said arm member, said pinion and arm member having a common axis of rotation, an intermittent gear having a plurality of groups of teeth with any one of said groups being adapted to mesh with said pinion, at least one of said groups of teeth having a difierent number from the others to produce change of pace pitching, means for suitably rotating said intermittent gear in one direction for actuating said pinion and through it said ball propelling arm member, spring including means for returning said arm in reverse direction of movement to starting position at the end of the throwing portion of the pitching cycle when said pinion is out of mesh with said intermittent gear, an electric switch, means for actuating said electric switch in accordance with the reciprocable movements of said ball propelling arm member, and an electrically operated ball feeding means actuated by said switch for delivering balls to said arcuate portion aiter the pitching arm is returned to pitching position and at the proper time for pitching during the next cycle of operation.

JAMES L. KELLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 1515) or" this patent:

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